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In Order. Road Less Traveled

October 30, 2017

by Terri Hill

October 29. Luke 17:11 - 18:14

Looks like Jesus is on the move again. Jesus would always choose the less traveled road. Unlike most Jews of that day, they would rather take the long route and not travel through Samaria, in order to avoid those they considered unpopular or unlovely. Jesus, however, had no problem of friction or dislike with any of those less desirable. Samaritan or lepers it made no difference to Jesus….but His journey would definitely be shorter and more direct!

We may be tempted to stand at a distance from Jesus, because of our weakness, or what is infecting us at the present time, like the lepers that met Jesus in the village that Jesus chose to enter.

(Luke 17:12) Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off.

We always will have the merciful option to lift up our voices to Jesus in our time of need! That’s what the ten lepers did…they wanted to be cleansed and free of the weakness and what had infected them personally.

(Luke 17:13) And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

Jesus in His true character of who He is…..sees and hears the calls of those who call out to Him! He wants to cleanse us and make us whole for His glory!

(Luke 17:14) So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.

Whenever Jesus crosses our path, it is definitely worthy of sharing with others, with a grateful heart, no matter our past, or where we have come from!! However, not all will remember or take the time to do so, like one of the cleansed lepers did.

(Luke 17:15, 16) And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.

And let’s not forget that Jesus does notice those who remember to bring glory to God! How much better to be able to go our way, because it is well with us by staying on the road of faith.

(Luke 17: 17-19) So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were here no any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”

There will be times of powerlessness and helplessness on this less traveled road. As a Christ follower on this journey, we will need to be ever persistent. Just like the widow Jesus speaks of, that was relentless and wouldn’t give up her case.

Traveling this road, one's heart will get weary. It is a long journey and can be tiresome along the way.

But look ahead my friends, and always always take the time to pray to the One who wants to be our forever GPS!